Inbred corn line PHEW7

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, there is provided an inbred corn line, designated PHEW7. This invention thus relates to the plants and seeds of inbred corn line PHEW7 and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line PHEW7 with itself or with another corn plant. This invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PHEW7 with another corn line or plant.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of corn breeding, specifically relating to an inbred corn line designated PHEW7.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Plant Breeding

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of the plant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant. A plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower on a different plant.

Corn plants (Zea mays L.) can be bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollination techniques. Corn has separate male and female flowers on the same plant, located on the tassel and the ear, respectively. Natural pollination occurs in corn when wind blows pollen from the tassels to the silks that protrude from the tops of the incipient ears.

The development of a hybrid corn variety involves three steps: (1) the selection of plants from various germplasm pools; (2) the selling of the selected plants for several generation to produce a series of inbred lines, which, although different from each other, breed true and are highly uniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lines with unrelated inbred lines to produce the hybrid progeny (F₁). During the inbreeding process in corn, the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor is restored when two unrelated inbred lines are crossed to produce the hybrid progeny. An important consequence of the homozygosity and homogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid between any two inbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds that give a superior hybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproduced indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred parents is maintained.

The objective of commercial maize inbred line development programs is to develop new inbred lines that combine to produce high grain yields and superior agronomic performance in hybrid combination. The primary trait breeders seek is yield. However, other major agronomic traits are of importance in hybrid combination and have an impact on yield or otherwise provide superior performance in hybrid combinations. Such traits include percent grain moisture at harvest, relative maturity, resistance to stalk breakage, resistance to root lodging, grain quality, and disease and insect resistance. In addition the lines per se must have acceptable performance for parental traits such as seed yields, kernel sizes, pollen production, all of which affect ability to provide parental lines in sufficient quantity and quality for hybridization. These traits have been shown to be under genetic control and many if not all of the traits are affected by multiple genes. Thus, to be selected as an inbred line, the inbred must be able to combine such that the desired traits are passed to the hybrid and also be able to satisfy production requirements as a parental line.

Pedigree Breeding

The pedigree method of breeding is the mostly widely used methodology for new inbred line development.

In general terms this procedure consists of crossing two inbred lines to produce the non-segregating F₁ generation, and self pollination of the F₁ generation to produce the F₂ generation that segregates for all factors for which the inbred parents differ. An example of this process is set forth below. Variations of this generalized pedigree method are used, but all these variations produce a segregating generation which contains a range of variation for the traits of interest.

EXAMPLE 1 Hypothetical Example of Pedigree Breeding Program

Consider a cross between two inbred lines that differ for alleles at five loci.

The parental genotypes are:

    ______________________________________                                         Parent 1                                                                              A      b     C   d    e   F/A  b   C   d    e   F                       Parent 2                                                                              a      B     c   D    E   f/a  B   c   D    E   f                       ______________________________________                                    

the F from a cross between these two parents is:

    ______________________________________                                         F.sub.1                                                                             A     b      C   d    e   F/a  B   c    D   E    f                        ______________________________________                                    

Selfing F₁ will produce an F₂ generation including the following genotypes:

    ______________________________________                                         A    B      c      D    E    f/a b    C    d    e    F                         A    B      c      D    e    f/a b    C    d    E    F                         A    B      c      D    e    f/a b    C    d    e    F                                             .                                                                              .                                                                              .                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The number of genotypes in the F₂ is 3⁶ for six segregating loci (729) and will produce (2⁶)-2 possible new inbreds, (62 for six segregating loci).

Each inbred parent which is used in breeding crosses represents a unique combination of genes, and the combined effects of the genes define the performance of the inbred and its performance in hybrid combination. There is published evidence (Smith, O. S., J. S. C. Smith, S. L. Bowen, R. A. Tenborg and S. J. Wall, TAG 80:833-840 (1990)) that each of these lines are different and can be uniquely identified on the basis of genetically-controlled molecular markers.

It has been shown (Hallauer, Arnel R. and Miranda, J. B. Fo. Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding, Iowa State University Press, Ames Iowa, 1981) that most traits of economic value in maize are under the genetic control of multiple genetic loci, and that there are a large number of unique combinations of these genes present in elite maize germplasm. If not, genetic progress using elite inbred lines would no longer be possible. Studies by Duvick and Russell (Duvick, D. N., Maydica 37:69-79, (1992); Russell, W. A., Maydica XXIX:375-390 (1983)) have shown that over the last 50 years the rate of genetic progress in commercial hybrids has been between 1 and 2% per year.

The number of genes affecting the trait of primary economic importance in maize, grain yield, has been estimated to be in the range of 10-1000. Inbred lines which are used as parents for breeding crosses differ in the number and combination of these genes. These factors make the plant breeder's task more difficult. Compounding this is evidence that no one line contains the favorable allele at all loci, and that different alleles have different economic values depending on the genetic background and field environment in which the hybrid is grown. Fifty years of breeding experience that there are many genes affecting grain yield and each of these has a relatively small effect on this trait. The effects are small compared to breeders' ability to measure grain yield differences in evaluation trials. Therefore, the parents of the breeding cross must differ at several of these loci so that the genetic differences in the progeny will be large enough that breeders can develop a line that increases the economic worth of its hybrids over that of hybrids made with either parent.

If the number of loci segregating in a cross between two inbred lines is n, the number of unique genotypes in the F₂ generation is 3^(n) (Table 2) and the number of unique inbred lines from this cross is {(2^(n)) -2}. Only a very limited number of these combinations are useful. Only about 1 in 10,000 of the progeny from F₂ 's are commercially useful.

By way of example, if it is assumed that the number of segregating loci in F₂ is somewhere between 20 and 50, and that each parent is fixed for half the favorable alleles, it is then possible to calculate approximate probabilities of finding an inbred that has the favorable allele at {(n/2)+m} loci, where n/2 is the number of favorable alleles in each of the parents and m is the number of additional favorable alleles in the new inbred. See Example 2 below. The number m is assumed to be greater than three because each allele has so small an effect that evaluation techniques are not sensitive enough to detect differences due to three or less favorable alleles. The probabilities in Example 2 are on the order of 10⁻⁵ or smaller and they are the probabilities that at least one genotype with (n/2)+m favorable alleles will exist.

To put this in perspective the number of plants grown on 60 million acres (approximate U.S. corn acreage) at 25000 plants/acre is 1.5×10¹².

EXAMPLE 2 Probability of Finding an Inbred with m of n Favorable Alleles.

Assume each parent has n/2 of the favorable alleles and only 1/2 of the combinations of loci are economically useful.

    ______________________________________                                         no. of   no. favorable                                                                              no. additional                                                                               Probability                                 segregating                                                                             alleles in  favorable alleles                                                                            that geno-                                  loci (n) Parents (n/2)                                                                              in new inbred type occurs*                                ______________________________________                                         20       10          14            3 × 10.sup.-5                         24       12          16            2 × 10.sup.-5                         28       14          18            1 × 10.sup.-5                         32       16          20            8 × 10.sup.-5                         36       18          22            5 × 10.sup.-5                         40       20          24            3 × 10.sup.-5                         44       22          26            2 × 10.sup.-5                         48       24          28            1 × 10.sup.-5                         ______________________________________                                          *Probability that a useful combination exists, does not include the            probability of indentifying this combination if it does exist.           

The possibility of having a usably high probability of being able to identify this genotype based on replicated field testing would be most likely smaller than this, and is a function of how large a population of genotypes is tested and how testing resources are allocated in the testing program.

At Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a typical corn research station has a staff of four, and 20 acres of breeding nursery. Those researchers plant those 20 acres with 25,000 nursery rows, 15,000 yield test plots in 10-15 yield test sites, and one or two disease-screening nurseries. Employing a temporary crew of 20 to 30 pollinators, the station makes about 65,000 hand pollinations per growing season. Thus, one of the largest plant breeding programs in the world does not have a sufficiently large breeding population to be able to rely upon "playing the numbers" to obtain successful research results. Nevertheless, Pioneer's breeders at each station produce from three to ten new inbreds which are proposed for commercial use each year. Over the 32 Pioneer research stations in North America, this amounts to from about 100 to 300 new inbreds proposed for use, and less than 50 and more commonly less than 30 of these inbreds that actually satisfy the performance criteria for commercial use.

This is a result of plant breeders using their skills, experience, and intuitive ability to select inbreds having the necessary qualities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbred corn line, designated PHEW7. This invention thus relates to the seeds of inbred corn line PHEW7, to the plants of inbred corn line PHEW7, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line PHEW7 with itself or another corn line. This invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PHEW7 with another corn line.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and examples that follow, a number of terms are used herein. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms, the following definitions are provided. ABS is in absolute terms and % MN is percent of the mean for the experiments in which the inbred or hybrid was grown.

BAR PLT=BARREN PLANTS. The percent of plants per plot that were not barren (lack ears).

BRT STK=BRITTLE STALKS. This is a measure of the stalk breakage near the time of pollination, and is an indication of whether a hybrid or inbred would snap or break near the time of flowering under severe winds. Data are presented as percentage of plants that did not snap.

BU ACR=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Actual yield of the grain at harvest in bushels per acre adjusted to 15.5% moisture.

DRP EAR=DROPPED EARS. A measure of the number of dropped ears per plot and represents the percentage of plants that did not drop ears prior to harvest.

EAR HT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure from the ground to the highest placed developed ear node attachment and is measured in inches.

EAR SZ=EAR SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating of ear size. The higher the rating the larger the ear size.

EST CNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure of the stand establishment in the spring and represents the number of plants that emerge on a per plot basis for the inbred or hybrid.

GDU SHD=GDU TO SHED. The number of growing degree units (GDUs) or heat units required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants shedding pollen and is measured from the time of planting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method, where the heat units for a 24-hour period are: ##EQU1##

The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the lowest minimum temperature used is 50° F. For each inbred or hybrid it takes a certain number of GDUs to reach various stages of plant development.

GDU SLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing degree units required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants with silk emergence from time of planting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method as given in GDU SHD definition.

GRN APP=GRAIN APPEARANCE. This is a 1 to 9 rating for the general appearance of the shelled grain as it is harvested based on such factors as the color of the harvested grain, any mold on the grain, and any cracked grain. High scores indicate good grain quality.

MST=HARVEST MOISTURE. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture of the grain at harvest.

PLT HT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the height of the plant from the ground to the tip of the tassel in inches.

POL SC=POLLEN SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount of pollen shed. The higher the score the more pollen shed.

POL WT=POLLEN WEIGHT. This is calculated by dry weight of tassels collected as shedding commences minus dry weight from similar tassels harvested after shedding is complete.

It should be understood that the inbred can, through routine manipulation of cytoplasmic factors, be produced in a cytoplasmic male-sterile form which is otherwise phenotypically identical to the male-fertile form.

PRM=PREDICTED RM. This trait, predicted relative maturity (RM), is based on the harvest moisture of the grain. The relative maturity rating is based on a known set of checks and utilizes standard linear regression analyses and is referred to as the Comparative Relative Maturity Rating System which is similar to the Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating System.

RT LDG=ROOT LODGING. Root lodging is the percentage of plants that do not root lodge; plants that lean from the vertical axis at an approximately 30° angle or greater would be counted as root lodged.

SCT GRN=SCATTER GRAIN. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount of scatter grain (lack of pollination or kernel abortion) on the ear. The higher the score the less scatter grain.

SDG VGR=SEEDLING VIGOR. This is the visual rating (1 to 9) of the amount of vegetative growth after emergence at the seedling stage (approximately five leaves). A higher score indicates better vigor.

SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. The selection index gives a single measure of the hybrid's worth based on information for up to five traits. A corn breeder may utilize his or her own set of traits for the selection index. One of the traits that is almost always included is yield. The selection index data presented in the tables represent the mean value averaged across testing stations.

STA GRN=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of plant health near the time of black layer formation (physiological maturity). A high score indicates better late-season plant health.

STK CNT=NUMBER OF PLANTS. This is the final stand or number of plants per plot.

STK LDG=STALK LODGING. This is the percentage of plants that did not stalk lodge (stalk breakage) as measured by either natural lodging or pushing the stalks and determining the percentage of plants that break below the ear.

TAS BLS=TASSEL BLAST. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to measure the degree of blasting (necrosis due to heat stress) of the tassel at time of flowering. A 1 would indicate a very high level of blasting at time of flowering, while a 9 would have no tassel blasting.

TAS SZ=TASSEL SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate the relative size of the tassel. The higher the rating the larger the tassel.

TAS WT=TASSEL WEIGHT. This is the average weight of a tassel (grams) just prior to pollen shed.

TEX EAR=EAR TEXTURE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate the relative hardness (smoothness of crown) of mature grain. A 1 would be very soft (extreme dent) while a 9 would be very hard (flinty or very smooth crown).

TILLER=TILLERS. A count of the number of tillers per plot that could possibly shed pollen was taken. Data is given as percentage of tillers: number of tillers per plot divided by number of plants per plot.

TST WT=TEST WEIGHT (UNADJUSTED). The measure of the weight of the grain in pounds for a given volume (bushel).

TST WTA=TEST WEIGHT ADJUSTED. The measure of the weight of the grain in pounds for a given volume (bushel) adjusted for percent moisture.

YLD=YIELD. It is the same as BU ACR ABS.

YLD SC=YIELD SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to give a relative rating for yield based on plot ear piles. The higher the rating the greater visual yield appearance.

MDM CPX=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex (MDMV=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus & MCDV=Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

SLF BLT=Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis, Helminthosporium maydis): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

NLF BLT=Northern Leaf Blight (Exserohilum turcicum, H. turcicum): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

COM RST=Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

GLF SPT=Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

STW WLT=Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii): Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

HD SMT=Head Smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana): Percentage of plants that did not have infection.

EAR MLD=General Ear Mold: Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant. This is based on overall rating for ear mold of mature ears without determining specific mold organism, and may not be predictive for a specific ear mold.

ECB DPE=Dropped ears due to European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis): Percentage of plants that did not drop ears under second brood corn borer infestation.

ECB 2SC=European Corn Borer Second Brood (Ostrinia nubilalis): Visual rating (1-9 score) of post flowering damage due to infestation by European Corn Borer. A "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

ECB 1LF=European Corn Borer First Brood (Ostrinia nubilalis): Visual rating (1-9 score) of pre-flowering leaf feeding by European Corn Borer. A "1" is very susceptible and a "9" is very resistant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This inbred contributes good yield under stress conditions, particularly moisture stress conditions. It has good yield and stable performance in drought conditions. Its rapid dry down and stress tolerance combined with its widespread adaptability give an important advantage over other inbreds. It is not frequent that an inbred with acceptable yield in drought conditions can adapt over a wide area. PHEW7 hybrids have rapid dry down for their maturity. This allows the producer to more fully utilize the growing season and contributes to high yield.

Inbred corn line PHEW7 is a yellow, dent corn inbred that provides an acceptable female parental line in crosses for producing first generation F1 corn hybrids. PHEW7 is best adapted to the North Central region of the United States. PHEW7, in its area of adaptation, has high yield over a wide range of environmental conditions and good drought tolerance. PHEW7 is best adapted to areas where drought stress is common and leaf disease is not severe. It is below average in root strength and its hybrids can have some root lodging in environments where root lodging occurs. In hybrids, PHEW7 should provide fast drydown and good yield under stress, which will help the farmer reduce drying costs, and help maintain good yield levels under stress, which occurs frequently.

The inbred has shown uniformity and stability within the limits of environmental influence for all the traits as described in the Variety Description Information (Table 1) that follows. Most of the data in the Variety Description information was collected at Johnston, Iowa. The inbred has been self-pollinated and ear-rowed a sufficient number of generations with careful attention paid to uniformity of plant type to ensure homozygosity and phenotypic stability. The line has been increased both by hand and in isolated fields with continued observation for uniformity. No variant traits have been observed or are expected in PHEW7.

Inbred corn line PHEW7, being substantially homozygous, can be reproduced by planting seeds of the line, growing the resulting corn plants under self-pollinating or sib-pollinating conditions with adequate isolation, and harvesting the resulting seed, using techniques familiar to the agricultural arts.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION                                                INBRED = PHEW7                                                                 __________________________________________________________________________     Type: Dent             Region Best Adapted: NORTH CENTRAL                      A.                                                                               Maturity: Average across maturity zones. Zone:                                                                0                                               Heat Unit Shed:                1460                                            Heat Unit Silk:                1460                                            No. Reps:                      83                                             ##STR1##                                                                       *If maximum is greater than 86 degrees fahrenheit, then 86 is used and if      minimum is less than 50, then 50 is used. Heat units accumulated daily an      can not be less than 0.                                                  

    B.                                                                               Plant Characteristics:                                                         Plant height (to tassel tip):  220 cm                                          Length of top ear internode:   11 cm                                           Number of ears per stalk:      SINGLE                                          Ear height (to base of top ear):                                                                              81 cm                                           Number of tillers:             NONE                                            Cytoplasm type:                NORMAL                                        C.                                                                               Leaf:                                                                          Color:                         (B14) DARK GREEN                                Angle from Stalk:              <30 degrees                                     Marginal Waves:                (WF9) FEW                                       Number of Leaves (mature plants):                                                                             19                                              Sheath Pubescence:             (W22) LIGHT                                     Longitudinal Creases:          (PA11) MANY                                     Length (Ear node leaf):        86 cm                                           Width (widest point, ear node leaf):                                                                          9 cm                                          D.                                                                               Tassel:                                                                        Number lateral branches:       2                                               Branch Angle from central spike:                                                                              30-40 degrees                                   Pollen Shed:                   Light based on Pollen Yield Test                                               (47% of experiment means)                       Peduncle Length (top leaf. to basal branches):                                                                25 cm                                           Anther Color:                  PURPLE                                          Glume Color:                   GREEN                                         E.                                                                               Ear (Husked Ear Data Except When Stated Otherwise):                            Length:                        17 cm                                           Weight:                        144 gm                                          Mid-point Diameter:            42 mm                                           Silk Color:                    GREEN                                           Husk Extension (Harvest stage):                                                                               MEDIUM (Barely Covering                                                        Ear)                                            Husk Leaf:                     SHORT (<8 cm)                                   Taper of Ear:                  SLIGHT                                          Position of Shank (dry husks): UPRIGHT                                         Kernel Rows:                   STRAIGHT DISTINCT Number = 15                   Husk Color (fresh):            LIGHT GREEN                                     Husk Color (dry):              BUFF                                            Shank Length:                  8 cm                                            Shank (No. of internodes):     8                                             F.                                                                               Kernel (Dried):                                                                Size (from ear mid-point)                                                      Length:                        11 mm                                           Width:                         8 mm                                            Thick:                         5 mm                                            Shape Grade (% rounds):        40-60 (41% medium round based                                                  on Parent Test Data)                            Pericarp Color:                COLORLESS                                       Aleurone Color:                HOMOZYGOUS YELLOW                               Endosperm Color:               YELLOW                                          Endosperm Type:                NORMAL STARCH                                   Gm Wt/100 Seeds (unsized):     31 gm                                         G.                                                                               Cob:                                                                           Diameter at mid-point:         22 mm                                           Strength:                      STRONG                                          Color:                         WHITE                                         H.                                                                               Diseases:                                                                      Corn Lethal Necrosis (MCMV = Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus                                                     INTERMEDIATE                                    and MDMV = Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus):                                          Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex (MDMV & MCDV = Maize Dwarf                                                         SUSCEPTIBLE                                     Virus):                                                                        Anthracnose Stalk Rot (C. graminicola):                                                                       INTERMEDIATE                                    S. Leaf Blight (B. maydis):    INTERMEDIATE                                    Carbonum Leaf Blight (H. carbonum):                                                                           INTERMEDIATE                                    N. Leaf Blight (E. turicum):   SUSCEPTIBLE                                     Common Rust (P. sorghi):       SUSCEPTIBLE                                     Southern Rust (P. polysora):   SUSCEPTIBLE                                     Gray Leaf Spot (C. zeae):      SUSCEPTIBLE                                     Stewart's Wilt (E. stewartii): INTERMEDIATE                                    Goss's Wilt (C. nebraskense):  RESISTANT                                       Common Smut (U. maydis):       HIGHLY RESISTANT                                Head Smut (S. reiliana):       HIGHLY RESISTANT                                Fusarium Ear Mold (F. moniliforme):                                                                           RESISTANT                                     I.                                                                               Insects:                                                                       European Corn Borer-1 Leaf Damage                                              (Pre-flowering):               SUSCEPTIBLE                                     European Corn Borer-2                                                          (Post-flowering):              SUSCEPTIBLE                                     The above descriptions are based on a scale of 1-9,                            1 being highly susceptible, 9 being highly resistant.                          S (Susceptible):               Would generally represent a score of                                           1-3.                                            I (Intermediate):              Would generally represent a score of                                           4-5.                                            R (Resistant):                 Would generally represent a score of                                           6-7.                                            H (Highly Resistant):          Would generally represent a score                                              of 8-9. Highly resistant does not                                              imply the inbred is immune.                   J.                                                                               Variety Most Closely Resembling:                                               Character                      Inbred                                          Maturity                       PHK29                                           Usage                          PHK29                                         __________________________________________________________________________      PHK29 (PVP Certificate No. 8700214) is a Pioneer HiBred International,         Inc. proprietary inbred.                                                       Data for Items B, C, D, E, F, and G is based primarily on a maximum of 6       reps from Johnston, Iowa grown in 1991 and 1992, plus description              information from the maintaining station.                                

ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS Isozyme Genotypes for PHEW7

Isozyme data were generated for inbred corn line PHEW7 according to the procedures described in Stuber, C. W., Wendel, J. F., Goodman, M. M., and Smith, J. S. C., "Techniques and Scoring Procedures for Starch Gel Electrophoresis of Enzymes from Maize (Zea mays L.)", Technical Bulletin No. 286, North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. (1988).

The data in Table 2 compares PHEW7 with its parents, G39 and PHK29.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS FOR PHEW7                                              AND ITS PARENTS G39 AND PHK29                                                                    PARENTS                                                      LOCI     PHEW7          G39    PHK29                                           ______________________________________                                         ACP1     4              4      4                                               ADH1     4              4      4                                               CAT3     9              9      9                                               DIA1     8              8      12                                              GOT1     4              4      4                                               GOT2     4              2      4                                               GOT3     4              4      4                                               IDH1     4              4      4                                               IDH2     4              6      4                                               MDH1     6              6      6                                               MDH2     3.5            6      3.5                                             MDH3     16             16     16                                              MDH4     12             12     12                                              MDH5     12             12     12                                              MMM      4              4      4                                               PGM1     9              9      9                                               PGM2     4              4      4                                               PGD1     2              2      3.8                                             PGD2     5              5      5                                               PHI1     4              4      4                                               ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES Inbred and Hybrid Performance of PHEW7

In the examples that follow, the traits and characteristics of inbred corn line PHEW7 are given as a line in comparison with other inbreds and in hybrid combination. The data collected on inbred corn line PHEW7 is presented for the key characteristics and traits. The results in Table 3A compare PHEW7 to its G39 parent. The results show PHEW7 has higher yield, lower grain harvest moisture and higher test weight than G39. PHEW7 has fewer barren plants and is shorter with lower ear placement than G39. PHEW7 flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) significantly earlier than G39. PHEW7 and G39 have similar root lodging resistance. PHEW7 is more susceptible to northern leaf blight and second brood European corn borer.

Table 3B compares PHEW7 to its PHK29 parent. PHEW7 has lower yielding and grain harvest moisture than PHK29. PHEW7 is shorter with lower ear placement and flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) significantly earlier than PHK29.

The results in Table 3C show PHEW7 is lower yielding and has lower grain harvest moisture but higher test weight than PHW52. PHEW7 is taller with higher ear placement and flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier compared to PHW52. PHEW7 and PHW52 have similar stalk lodging resistance but PHEW7 is more susceptible to root lodging and northern leaf blight. PHEW7 has better first brood European corn borer resistance but is more susceptible to second brood European corn borer than PHW52.

Table 3D shows PHEW7 and PHP38 have similar yield but PHEW7 has lower grain harvest moisture and test weight. PHEW7 and PHP38 have similar ear height but PHEW7 is taller and flowers (GDU Shed and GDU Silk) earlier than PHP38. PHEW7 has better first brood European corn borer resistance but is more susceptible to second brood European Corn Borer compared to PHP38.

Table 4A compares PHEW7 to PHK29 when both were crossed to the same inbred testers. The PHEW7 hybrids are lower yielding, have a slightly lower grain harvest moisture and slightly higher test weight than the PHK29 hybrids. The PHEW7 hybrids have better seedling vigor than the PHK29 hybrids.

Table 4B compares PHEW7 to PHW52 when both are crossed to the same inbred testers. The PHEW7 hybrids are lower yielding and have lower grain harvest moisture compared to the PHW52 hybrids. The PHEW7 hybrids are slightly taller with a higher ear placement compared to the PHW52 hybrids.

Table 4C compares PHEW7 to PHP38 when the inbreds are crossed to the same inbred testers. The PHEW7 hybrids are lower yielding and have lower grain harvest moisture than the PHP38 hybrids. The PHEW7 hybrids are slightly more susceptible to stalk lodging but have slightly better root lodging resistance than the PHP38 hybrids. The PHEW7 and PHP38 hybrids have similar plant height but the PHEW7 hybrids have lower ear placement.

Table 5A compares PHEW7 to PHK29 when both are crossed to the same inbred. The PHEW7 hybrid has higher yield and lower grain harvest moisture compared to the PHK29 hybrid. The hybrids have similar root lodging resistance but the PHEW7 hybrid has better stalk lodging resistance. The PHEW7 hybrid has better seedling vigor and fewer brittle stalks than the PHK29 hybrid. The PHEW7 hybrid sheds earlier than the PHK29 hybrid.

The results in 5B compare PHEW7 to PHW52 when they are crossed to the same inbred. The hybrids have similar yield but the PHEW7 hybrid has lower grain harvest moisture. The hybrids have similar stalk lodging resistance but the PHEW7 hybrid is more susceptible to root lodging compared to the PHW52 hybrid. The PHEW7 hybrid has better seedling vigor, is taller with higher ear placement and sheds earlier than the PHW52 hybrid.

Table 5C compares PHEW7 to PHP38 when they are crossed to the same inbred. The PHEW7 hybrid has lower yield, grain harvest moisture and test weight than the PHP38 hybrid. The PHEW7 and PHP38 hybrid have comparable stalk lodging resistance but the PHEW7 hybrid is more susceptible to root lodging. The PHEW7 hybrid is taller with higher ear placement and sheds earlier than the PHP38 hybrid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 compares the yield of PHEW7 to G39. PHEW7 yields better in low yield environments than G39. PHEW7 is lower yielding than G39 in high yield environments but both inbreds yield below average in high yield environments.

FIG. 2 compares the yield of PHEW7 to PHK29. PHEW7 and PHK29 have similar yield in low yield environments but PHEW7 has lower yield compared to PHK29 in high yield environments. PHEW7 has below average yield in high yield environments.

FIG. 3 compares the yield of PHEW7 to PHW52. PHEW7 has better yield than PHW52 in low yield environments. PHEW7 is lower yielding than PHW52 in high yield environments and yields below average in these environments.

FIG. 4 shows PHEW7 yields better than PHP38 in low yield environments. PHEW7 yields less than PHP38 in high yield environments.

                                      TABLE 3A                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  VARIETY #1 = PHEW7                                                             VARIETY #2 = G39                                                               __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU  YLD     EAR BAR PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                VAR ACR ACR SC  MST SZ  PLT HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                        DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   73.2                                                                               98  6.0 17.1                                                                               6.1 89.6                                                                               83.3                                                                               30.0                                                                               5.5 44.8                                                                               99.5                               2   64.4                                                                               81  4.7 20.2                                                                               6.0 80.9                                                                               85.6                                                                               35.2                                                                               5.6 44.6                                                                               99.0                               LOCS                                                                               41  41  19  46  14  53  52  52  53  81  12                                 REPS                                                                               82  82  21  88  14  75  85  85  80  162 24                                 DIFF                                                                               8.7 17  1.3 3.1 0.1 8.7 2.3 5.2 0.2 0.2 0.5                                PROB                                                                               .007#                                                                              .001#                                                                              .016+                                                                              .000#                                                                              .873                                                                               .001#                                                                              .006#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .542                                                                               .750                                                                               .473                       __________________________________________________________________________                         TIL GDU GDU POL TAS TAS TEX TST GRN                                        VAR LER SHD SLK SC  BLS SZ  EAR WT  APP                                DEPT    #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________             TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1.1 1454                                                                               1458                                                                               3.8 9.0 2.8 5.6 58.2                                                                               7.0                                        2   0.6 1569                                                                               1594                                                                               5.7 9.0 5.2 6.1 57.5                                                                               6.8                                        LOCS                                                                               48  60  58  19  1   26  9   40  22                                         REPS                                                                               70  74  70  23  1   30  9   80  43                                         DIFF                                                                               0.6 115 136 1.9 0.0 2.3 0.6 0.7 0.2                                        PROB                                                                               .183                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#   .000#                                                                              .302                                                                               .002#                                                                              .480                       __________________________________________________________________________                         SCT STA STK RT  EAR NLF STW ECB ECB                                        VAR GRN GRN LDG LDG MLD BLT WLT 1LF 2SC                                DEPT    #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________             TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   6.4 2.9 93.0                                                                               94.0                                                                               7.1 3.1 4.4 4.5 3.0                                        2   4.8 5.8 95.9                                                                               92.8                                                                               6.8 4.4 4.8 4.2 4.4                                        LOCS                                                                               18  42  29  13  13  9   5   13  14                                         REPS                                                                               20  67  56  24  15  13  5   13  23                                         DIFF                                                                               1.6 2.9 2.8 1.2 0.2 1.3 0.4 0.2 1.4                                        PROB                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .015+                                                                              .817                                                                               .679                                                                               .057*                                                                              .374                                                                               .553                                                                               .019+                      __________________________________________________________________________      *10% SIG                                                                       + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 3B                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  VARIETY #1 - PHEW7                                                             VARIETY #2 - PHK29                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU  YLD     EAR BAR PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                VAR ACR ACR SC  MST SZ  PLT HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                        DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   70.0                                                                               96  6.0 16.5                                                                               6.1 89.0                                                                               81.3                                                                               30.0                                                                               5.3 40.1                                                                               99.7                               2   80.5                                                                               111 6.5 19.2                                                                               5.6 91.4                                                                               83.9                                                                               32.4                                                                               5.5 39.9                                                                               99.6                               LOCS                                                                               48  48  22  56  19  69  70  70  72  114 15                                 REPS                                                                               96  96  24  105 19  94  107 107 101 198 30                                 DIFF                                                                               10.5                                                                               14  0.5 2.7 0.4 2.4 2.7 2.4 0.3 0.1 0.1                                PROB                                                                               .000#                                                                              .001#                                                                              .069*                                                                              .000#                                                                              .176                                                                               .136                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .295                                                                               .824                                                                               .577                       __________________________________________________________________________                         TIL GDU GDU POL TAS TAS TEX TST GRN                                        VAR LER SHD SLK SC  BLS SZ  EAR WT  APP                                DEPT    #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________             TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1.2 1435                                                                               1436                                                                               3.4 9.0 2.8 5.8 58.2                                                                               6.8                                        2   2.0 1490                                                                               1502                                                                               5.5 9.0 5.2 5.7 58.3                                                                               6.9                                        LOCS                                                                               69  91  86  31  2   29  12  47  25                                         REPS                                                                               93  108 98  35  2   33  12  94  49                                         DIFF                                                                               0.8 55  66  2.1 0.0 2.4 0.2 0.1 0.1                                        PROB                                                                               .137                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              1.00                                                                               .000#                                                                              .586                                                                               .698                                                                               .695                       __________________________________________________________________________                         SCT STA STK RT  EAR NLF STW ECB ECB                                        VAR GRN GRN LDG LDG MLD BLT WLT 1LF 2SC                                DEPT    #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________             TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   6.5 3.0 93.2                                                                               90.0                                                                               7.8 3.0 4.3 4.4 3.2                                        2   7.1 5.5 95.6                                                                               99.0                                                                               8.1 3.8 7.0 4.3 4.1                                        LOCS                                                                               23  46  32  17  17  12  6   26  17                                         REPS                                                                               25  71  62  30  19  15  6   31  31                                         DIFF                                                                               0.7 2.5 2.4 9.0 0.4 0.8 2.7 0.1 1.0                                        PROB                                                                               .100                                                                               .000#                                                                              .031+                                                                              .073*                                                                              .370                                                                               .109                                                                               .001#                                                                              .517                                                                               .005#                      __________________________________________________________________________      *10% SIG                                                                       +  = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 3C                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  VARIETY #1 - PHEW7                                                             VARIETY #2 - PHW52                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU  YLD     EAR BAR PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                VAR ACR ACR SC  MST SZ  PLT HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                        DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   70.0                                                                               96  5.9 16.9                                                                               6.1 89.1                                                                               81.3                                                                               30.0                                                                               5.2 41.0                                                                               99.5                               2   75.3                                                                               103 6.3 21.8                                                                               5.9 91.1                                                                               74.3                                                                               26.8                                                                               4.7 40.7                                                                               99.9                               LOCS                                                                               44  44  23  51  19  65  71  71  73  121 13                                 REPS                                                                               88  88  25  98  19  90  108 108 102 207 26                                 DIFF                                                                               5.3 6   0.4 4.9 0.1 2.0 7.0 3.2 0.5 0.3 0.4                                PROB                                                                               .113                                                                               .202                                                                               .362                                                                               .000#                                                                              .767                                                                               .192                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .050*                                                                              .521                                                                               .092*                      __________________________________________________________________________                         TIL GDU GDU POL TAS TAS TEX TST GRN                                        VAR LER SHD SLK SC  BLS SZ  EAR WT  APP                                DEPT    #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________             TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1.1 1436                                                                               1437                                                                               3.5 9.0 2.8 5.8 58.3                                                                               6.9                                        2   1.0 1474                                                                               1511                                                                               6.3 9.0 5.9 5.7 57.5                                                                               6.5                                        LOCS                                                                               74  96  91  35  3   31  13  43  25                                         REPS                                                                               98  113 103 39  3   35  13  86  49                                         DIFF                                                                               0.1 38  74  2.8 0.0 3.1 0.2 0.8 0.4                                        PROB                                                                               .586                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              1.00                                                                               .000#                                                                              .636                                                                               .000#                                                                              .108                       __________________________________________________________________________                         SCT STA STK RT  EAR NLF STW ECB ECB                                        VAR GRN GRN LDG LDG MLD BLT WLT 1LF 2SC                                DEPT    #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________             TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   6.4 3.0 92.9                                                                               87.9                                                                               7.4 2.7 4.2 4.3 3.1                                        2   6.9 5.4 92.0                                                                               95.9                                                                               7.4 3.9 4.6 2.9 3.9                                        LOCS                                                                               24  49  31  17  20  22  7   30  20                                         REPS                                                                               26  76  60  30  22  36  8   39  38                                         DIFF                                                                               0.5 2.4 0.9 8.1 0.1 1.2 0.4 1.4 0.8                                        PROB                                                                               .191                                                                               .000#                                                                              .372                                                                               .149                                                                               .908                                                                               .000#                                                                              .684                                                                               .000#                                                                              .094*                      __________________________________________________________________________      *10% SIG                                                                       + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 3D                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  VARIETY #1 - PHEW7                                                             VARIETY #2 - PHP38                                                             __________________________________________________________________________                 BU  BU  YLD     EAR BAR PLT EAR SDG EST DRP                                VAR ACR ACR SC  MST SZ  PLT HT  HT  VGR CNT EAR                        DEPT    #   ABS % MN                                                                               ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   70.8                                                                               98  5.9 16.6                                                                               6.1 89.4                                                                               82.1                                                                               30.1                                                                               5.1 40.2                                                                               99.6                               2   73.4                                                                               99  5.5 19.6                                                                               5.6 89.6                                                                               79.8                                                                               29.5                                                                               5.7 39.3                                                                               99.4                               LOCS                                                                               44  44  24  52  18  67  67  67  69  118 14                                 REPS                                                                               87  87  26  96  18  90  100 100 93  199 28                                 DIFF                                                                               2.6 1   0.4 3.0 0.4 0.2 2.3 0.6 0.6 0.9 0.2                                PROB                                                                               .403                                                                               .750                                                                               .240                                                                               .000#                                                                              .134                                                                               .913                                                                               .001#                                                                              .230                                                                               .014+                                                                              .096*                                                                              .617                       __________________________________________________________________________                         TIL GDU GDU POL TAS TAS TEX TST GRN                                        VAR LER SHD SLK SC  BLS SZ  EAR WT  APP                                DEPT    #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________             TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   1.2 1433                                                                               1435                                                                               3.5 9.0 2.8 5.8 58.0                                                                               6.6                                        2   1.2 1463                                                                               1479                                                                               5.2 9.0 5.2 6.6 58.9                                                                               7.0                                        LOCS                                                                               72  95  92  35  3   32  13  43  25                                         REPS                                                                               93  110 104 39  3   36  13  85  48                                         DIFF                                                                               0.0 30  44  1.7 0.0 2.4 0.8 0.9 0.4                                        PROB                                                                               .915                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              1.00                                                                               .000#                                                                              .096*                                                                              .000#                                                                              .130                       __________________________________________________________________________                         SCT STA STK RT  EAR NLF STW ECB ECB                                        VAR GRN GRN LDG LDG MLD BLT WLT 1LF 2SC                                DEPT    #   ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________             TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   6.5 3.0 92.3                                                                               89.2                                                                               7.4 2.7 4.2 4.4 3.0                                        2   6.3 5.6 94.1                                                                               97.6                                                                               7.8 4.3 3.6 3.0 4.4                                        LOCS                                                                               24  46  29  15  20  22  7   31  19                                         REPS                                                                               26  69  56  26  22  36  8   40  36                                         DIFF                                                                               0.3 2.6 1.7 8.4 0.3 1.5 0.6 1.3 1.4                                        PROB                                                                               .365                                                                               .000#                                                                              .102                                                                               .094*                                                                              .330                                                                               .000#                                                                              .103                                                                               .000#                                                                              .004#                      __________________________________________________________________________      *10% SIG                                                                       +  = 5% SIG                                                                    # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 4A                                     __________________________________________________________________________     AVERAGE INBRED BY TESTER PERFORMANCE COMPARING PHEW7 TO                        PHK29 CROSSED TO THE SAME INBRED TESTERS                                       AND GROWN IN THE SAME EXPERIMENTS. ALL VALUES ARE EXPRESSED                    AS PERCENT OF THE EXPERIMENT MEAN EXCEPT                                       PREDICTED RM, SELECTION INDEX, AND YIELD (BU/ACR).                             __________________________________________________________________________                      SEL BU          GDU PRM STK RT                                             PRM IND ACR YLD MST SHD SHD LDG LDG                               __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL  REPLIC.                                                                               17 17   17 17  17   5   1   15  3                                MEAN WTS                                                                              PHK29 112 98  188 98  97  99  114 101 98                                MEAN WTS                                                                              PHEW7 112 90  180 94  96  97  113 100 91                                       DIFF.      8   8   4   0   2   1   1   7                                __________________________________________________________________________                        STA TST GRN SDG EST                                                                               STK                                                                               PLT                                                                               EAR                                                   GRN WTA APP VGR CNT                                                                               CNT                                                                               HT HT                                 __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL        REPLIC.                                                                               6  16   3  10   11                                                                               18  10                                                                               10  2                              MEAN WTS     PHK29 109 97  93  96  101                                                                               100                                                                               101                                                                               101                                                                               97                              MEAN WTS     PHEW7 99  98  86  108 100                                                                               96 102                                                                               94 86                                           DIFF. 10   0   7  12   1  5  1  7 11                              __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 4B                                     __________________________________________________________________________     AVERAGE INBRED BY TESTER PERFORMANCE COMPARING PHEW7 TO                        PHW52 CROSSED TO THE SAME INBRED TESTERS                                       AND GROWN IN THE SAME EXPERIMENTS. ALL VALUES ARE EXPRESSED                    AS PERCENT OF THE EXPERIMENT MEAN EXCEPT                                       PREDICTED RM, SELECTION INDEX, AND YIELD (BU/ACR).                                           SEL                                                                               BU         GDU STK STA TST SDG EST                                                                               STK                                                                               PLT                                                                               EAR                                                                               BRT                          PRM IND                                                                               ACR                                                                               YLD MST SHD LDG GRN WTA VGR CNT                                                                               CNT                                                                               HT HT STK                __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL                                                                               REP-  7   6  6 6    7  1   4    5   6   4  5   7  5 5   1                      LIC.                                                                      MEAN PHEW7                                                                               110 93 183                                                                               97  93  98  97  76  101 94  99 100                                                                               107                                                                               100                                                                               98                 WTS                                                                            MEAN PHW52                                                                               114 103                                                                               194                                                                               102 103 101 100 87  102 113 105                                                                               102                                                                               106                                                                               96 98                 WTS  DIFF.                                                                                4  10  11                                                                               5   10  3   3   11   1  19  6   2  1 3   0                 __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 4C                                     __________________________________________________________________________     AVERAGE INBRED BY TESTER PERFORMANCE COMPARING PHEW7 TO                        PHW38 CROSSED TO THE SAME INBRED TESTERS                                       AND GROWN IN THE SAME EXPERIMENTS. ALL VALUES ARE EXPRESSED                    AS PERCENT OF THE EXPERIMENT MEAN EXCEPT                                       PREDICTED RM, SELECTION INDEX, AND YIELD (BU/ACR).                             __________________________________________________________________________                      SEL                                                                               BU         GDU PRM STK RT  STA                                          PRM IND                                                                               ACR                                                                               YLD MST SHD SHD LDG LDG GRN                             __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL  REPLIC.                                                                               80 87  87                                                                               87  88  33   10  69  28 44                              MEAN WTS                                                                              PHEW7 108 99 182                                                                               98  95  99  108 101 103 98                              MEAN WTS                                                                              PHP38 111 104                                                                               190                                                                               103 101 100 109 103 101 115                                    DIFF.  2   5  8  4   7   1   1   1   2  18                              __________________________________________________________________________                        TST GRN SDG EST                                                                               STK                                                                               PLT                                                                               EAR DRP BRT                                               WTA APP VGR CNT                                                                               CNT                                                                               HT HT  EAR STK                            __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL        REPLIC.                                                                              71  24  47   54                                                                               96 49 49  23   12                            MEAN WTS     PHEW7 99  101 98  103                                                                               99 99 98  100 101                            MEAN WTS     PHP38 101 99  101 100                                                                               101                                                                               99 102 99  103                                         DIFF.  1   2   3   4  2  0  5   1   2                             __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 5A                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY #1 = PHEW7 HYBRID                                                      VARIETY #2 = PHK29 HYBRID                                                      __________________________________________________________________________                          BU   BU      STK  RT  STA  TST                                    VAR      PRM ACR  ACR MST LDG  LDG GRN  WTA                            DEPT    #   PRM  SHD ABS  % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN % MN                                                                               % MN % MN                           __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   107  110 167.7                                                                               105 93  101  101 110  98                                     2   108  112 162.0                                                                               101 97  100  101 109  98                                     LOCS                                                                               15   13  81   81  81  75   20  41   72                                     REPS                                                                               15   13  134  134 134 126  36  68   116                                    DIFF                                                                               1    2   5.7  4   3   2    0   0    0                                      PROB                                                                               .015+                                                                               .002#                                                                              .001#                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .024+                                                                               .979                                                                               .982 .095*                          __________________________________________________________________________                    GRN SDG EST STK PLT EAR DRP BRT GDU                                        VAR APP VGR CNT CNT HT  HT  EAR STK SHD                             DEPT       #   % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                            __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM  1   95  109 101 100 100 104 100 99  101                                        2   96  102 102 100 100 106 100 98  103                                        LOCS                                                                               14  47  53  90  47  47  27  8   18                                         REPS                                                                               30  75  87  153 66  66  52  13  29                                         DIFF                                                                               1   7   1   0   0   3   0   2   2                                          PROB                                                                               .850                                                                               .091*                                                                              .216                                                                               .798                                                                               .911                                                                               .235                                                                               .088*                                                                              .034+                                                                              .004#                           __________________________________________________________________________      *10% SIG                                                                       + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 5B                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY #1 = PHEW7 HYBRID                                                      VARIETY #2 = PHW52 HYBRID                                                      __________________________________________________________________________                          BU   BU      STK  RT  STA  TST                                    VAR      PRM ACR  ACR MST LDG  LDG GRN  WTA                            DEPT    #   PRM  SHD ABS  % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN % MN                                                                               % MN % MN                           __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   108  111 176.7                                                                               102 90  101  101 96   98                                     2   113  112 177.0                                                                               103 104 102  105 129  99                                     LOCS                                                                               39   27  168  168 177 155  36  79   172                                    REPS                                                                               39   27  219  219 228 201  53  100  222                                    DIFF                                                                               5    2   0.3  0   14  0    4   32   1                                      PROB                                                                               .000#                                                                               .000#                                                                              .843 .981                                                                               .000#                                                                              .737 .006#                                                                              .000#                                                                               .000#                          __________________________________________________________________________                    GRN SDG EST STK PLT EAR DRP BRT GDU                                        VAR APP VGR CNT CNT HT  HT  EAR STK SHD                             DEPT       #   % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                            __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM  1   96  110 102 101 99  103 100 98  100                                        2   97  104 101 100 95  94  100 98  101                                        LOCS                                                                               83  82  115 187 103 103 45  10  59                                         REPS                                                                               111 115 145 245 128 128 65  14  72                                         DIFF                                                                               1   6   1   1   4   9   0   0   1                                          PROB                                                                               .610                                                                               .080*                                                                              .208                                                                               .186                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .632                                                                               .844                                                                               .006#                           __________________________________________________________________________      *10% SIG                                                                       + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

                                      TABLE 5C                                     __________________________________________________________________________     VARIETY #1 = PHEW7 HYBRID                                                      VARIETY #2 = PHP38 HYBRID                                                      __________________________________________________________________________                          BU   BU      STK  RT  STA  TST                                    VAR      PRM ACR  ACR MST LDG  LDG GRN  WTA                            DEPT    #   PRM  SHD ABS  % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN % MN                                                                               % MN % MN                           __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM                                                                              1   108  110 174.5                                                                               101 94  101  97  103  98                                     2   109  111 179.9                                                                               104 98  102  101 123  100                                    LOCS                                                                               83   52  360  360 370 313  97  173  353                                    REPS                                                                               84   52  488  488 499 420  147 240  472                                    DIFF                                                                               2    1   5.4  3   5   1    4   19   3                                      PROB                                                                               .000#                                                                               .010+                                                                              .000#                                                                               .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                              .141 .006#                                                                              .000#                                                                               .000#                          __________________________________________________________________________                    GRN SDG EST STK PLT EAR DRP BRT GDU                                        VAR APP VGR CNT CNT HT  HT  EAR STK SHD                             DEPT       #   % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                                                                               % MN                            __________________________________________________________________________     TOTAL SUM  1   92  109 101 100 100 104 100 99  101                                        2   97  112 99  100 98  103 100 101 102                                        LOCS                                                                               195 169 224 384 199 199 103 26  120                                        REPS                                                                               272 250 298 521 254 254 158 38  150                                        DIFF                                                                               5   3   3   1   2   2   0   2   1                                          PROB                                                                               .000#                                                                              .138                                                                               .000#                                                                              .036+                                                                              .000#                                                                              .016+                                                                              .361                                                                               .048+                                                                              .051*                           __________________________________________________________________________      *10% SIG                                                                       + = 5% SIG                                                                     # = 1% SIG                                                               

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The foregoing is set forth by way of example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

This invention also is directed to methods for producing a corn plant by crossing a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plant wherein the first or second parent corn plant is an inbred corn plant from the line PHEW7. Further, both first and second parent corn plants can come from the inbred corn line PHEW7. Thus, any such methods using the inbred corn line PHEW7 are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses to populations, and the like. It also would include more unconventional methods of combining the inbred with another such as using various culturing techniques known to those skilled in the art. All plants produced using inbred corn line PHEW7 as a parent are within the scope of this invention. Advantageously, the inbred corn line is used in crosses with other, different, corn inbreds to produce first generation (F₁) corn hybrid seeds and plants with superior characteristics.

As used herein, the term plant includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which corn plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers, silk and the like.

Duncan, Williams, Zehr, and Widholm, Planta, (1985) 165:322-332 reflects that 97% of the plants cultured which produced callus were capable of plant regeneration. Subsequent experiments with both inbreds and hybrids produced 91% regenerable callus which produced plants. In a further study in 1988, Songstad, Duncan & Widholm in Plant Cell Reports (1988), 7:262-265 reports several media additions which enhance regenerability of callus of two inbred lines. Other published reports also indicated that "nontraditional" tissues are capable of producing somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration. K. P. Rao, et al., Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter, 60:64-65 (1986), refers to somatic embryogenesis from glume callus cultures and B. V. Conger, et al., Plant Cell Reports, 6:345-347 (1987) indicates somatic embryogenesis from the tissue cultures of maize leaf segments. Thus, it is clear from the literature that the state of the art is such that these methods of obtaining plants are, and were, "conventional" in the sense that they are routinely used and have a very high rate of success.

Tissue culture of corn is described in European Patent Application, publication 160,390, incorporated herein by reference. Corn tissue culture procedures are also described in Green and Rhodes, "Plant Regeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize," Maize for Biological Research (Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottesville, Va. 1982, at 367-372) and in Duncan, et al., "The Production of Callus Capable of Plant Regeneration from Immature Embryos of Numerous Zea Mays Genotypes," 165 Planta 322-332 (1985). Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide cells which upon growth and differentiation produce corn plants having the physiological and morphological characteristics of the inbred line PHEW7.

Corn is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw material in industry. The food uses of corn, in addition to human consumption of corn kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industries. The principal products of corn dry milling are grits, meal and flour. The corn wet-milling industry can provide corn starch, corn syrups, and dextrose for food use. Corn oil is recovered from corn germ, which is a by-product of both dry- and wet-milling industries.

Corn, including both grain and non-grain portions of the plant, is also used extensively as livestock feed, primarily for beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs, and poultry.

Industrial uses of corn are mainly from corn starch in the wet-milling industry and corn flour in the dry-milling industry. The industrial applications of corn starch and flour are based on functional properties, such as viscosity, film formation, adhesive properties, and ability to suspend particles. The corn starch and flour have application in the paper and textile industries. Other industrial uses include applications in adhesives, building materials, foundry binders, laundry starches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other mining applications.

Plant parts other than the grain of corn are also used in industry. Stalks and husks are made into paper and wallboard and cobs are used for fuel and to make charcoal.

The seed of inbred corn line PHEW7, the plant produced from the inbred seed, the hybrid corn plant produced from the crossing of the inbred, hybrid seed, and various parts of the hybrid corn plant can be utilized for human food, livestock feed, and as a raw material in industry.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Applicant has made available to the public without restriction a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of inbred PHEW7 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md. 20852 U.S.A., ATCC Deposit No. 75641. The seeds deposited with the ATCC are taken from the same deposit maintained by Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., 700 Capital Square, 400 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 since prior to the filing date of this application. This deposit of the Inbred Corn Line PHEW7 will be maintained without restriction in the ATCC depository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable during that period. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Inbred corn seed designated PHEW7 and having ATCC Accession No.
 75641. 2. A corn plant produced by the seed of claim
 1. 3. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of a plant according to claim 2 wherein the tissue regenerates plants having all of the physiological and morpholegical characteristics of PHEW7.
 4. A corn plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim
 3. 5. A tissue culture according to claim 3, the tissue culture initiated from the group consisting of: leaves, pollen, embryos, roots, root tips, anthers, silk, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, husks, stalks, or cells thereof.
 6. A tissue culture according to claim 3, the tissue culture comprising protoplasts. 